[أبو معاوية البيروتي]

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Q 8 : If my neighbour is a disbeliever, is it permissible for me to fulfill his requests for help ? Sometimes I might meet him in a narrow passage and we chat and smile and exchange friendly words, although I dislike them as a group . So, is there anything wrong with that ? How should we answer when they say " As-Salamu Alaikum " to us ?

Sheikh Ibn Uthaimin answered :

There is nothing wrong in carrying out the request of a non-Muslim as long as it does not constitute an act of disobedience to Allah, because a neighbour has certain rights on you, and this ( kindness ) may encourage him towards Islam .

There is nothing wrong with smiling and speaking kindly with them if there is a benefit in it, but if there is no benefit, it should be avoided .

If they greet us, we should say " the same to you " or " likewise " as the Prophetinstructed us . However, if they say " As-Salamu Alaikum " ( Peace be upon you ) distinctly, we should say " Wa Alaikum As-salam " ( And upon you be peace ) .

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